Internal News -
31 October 2008

University welcomes its international scholars

More than 100 international students attended a scholars’ reception held at the Assembly Rooms hosted by Pro-Vice-Chancellor Professor Jane Millar.

Seventy-five postgraduate scholarships of £3,000 and five undergraduate scholarships of £2,500 were awarded from the University’s £240,000 International Scholarships Scheme.

“This is the third year that the University of Bath international scholarship scheme has taken place,” said Professor Millar who was accompanied on the evening by the Chairman of Bath & North East Somerset Council, Councillor David Bellotti.

“It is wonderful to see how to scheme has grown and to be able to meet students from so many countries.”

The scheme was set up to encourage excellent overseas candidates to choose Bath as their place of study.

This year’s scholars represent 20 countries from Bangladesh to Vietnam and have been chosen not only for their academic excellence, but for their experience of voluntary work, extra-curricular activities and potential wider contribution to the University.

Haiyan Wang lived through the devastating earthquake that hit Sichuan Province, China, earlier this year. She decided to join Save the Children as a volunteer to help in a local children’s activity centre.

“I was extremely lucky,” explains Haiyan, who is studying for a degree in Accounting & Finance, in the University’s School of Management.

“The distance between my school and the epicentre of the earthquake was only 47 miles, but it was not on the seismic belt so the impact was not too severe.

“It was amazing to volunteer in the town of Mian Zhu. The children were incredibly resilient; I was surprised how strong they were.

“I also met many people who lost their family members or friends in the disaster; it really put life into perspective. I feel very fortunate to be here.”

2008 also saw the first year of our Alumni and Corporate funded scholars.

Five post-graduate scholars were chosen to receive the Abbey-Santander Masters Scholarships for students from Latin America funded by Banco Santander.

Bath also welcomed the first recipient of the Steve Huckvale Scholarships for Africa into the School of Management.

The Jack Cater award for a graduate of Hong Kong University was awarded to Priscilla Lam who is studying in Interpreting and Translating.

The USA Alumni Fund scholarship was awarded for the first time to Alyssa Auten in the Department of Architecture.

The students, a mix of undergraduates and postgraduates, were also given a certificate to commemorate the occasion.